Abstract

This paper outlines a highly innovative collaboration with schools throughout Yorkshire and Humberside, supported hitherto by Routes into Languages (RiL). Eurofest is a simulated trade fair for year 8 students, developed by Selby MFL Forum in 2008. A European award for the event funded the development of a resource pack, enabling it to be run by other providers, and in 2015 it expanded to York St John University. This year it will be held in Selby, York and Leeds, and winning teams will go forward to a regional final. Over the last nine years, over 1000 students will have participated in this event.

The students prepare at school, designing a stand promoting a town or a product, and practising the relevant language. On the day, they man their stands and talk to ‘judges’ from the host universities and business partners. They are scored according to criteria such as use of language and selling power, and certificates are awarded to the best teams.

The event is notable both for its intrinsic value and its sustainability: it is economical to run, and is therefore a highly sustainable model which could be emulated in other regions even after the demise of RiL.